Inspiring the Art of Science

Art inspired by science. That is the core of Visualizing Science, a $40,000 internal grant shared by seven interdisciplinary teams of scientists and artists-and the first year of an ongoing investment in Ul's own people.

Each team was comprised of a scientist and an artist. The goal was to show the science through art.

The outcome? Hundreds of 3-D printed aphids hanging in beautifully complex swarms. A children's book explaining the complexities of evolutionary biology through endearing characters. Even a human-size "robot" built to replicate the powerful jumping motion of some animals.

"It's really informative for scientists to learn how involved the research of creative activity is. It's also fascinating for them to articulate what they do and to think about it in visual terms," said Sally Machlis, a professor in both the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences and the College of Art and Architecture and co-principal investigator. Roger Rowley, director of the UI Prichard Art Gallery is also a co-principal investigator.

The internal grant is the first of an ongoing program deemed the Vandal Ideas Project. The program is designed to give funding to interdisciplinary groups of researchers and staff to tackle projects on a particular theme.